What Causes Foundation Failure?

Foundation failure is most often the result of extensive hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure that builds up outside of your home as water begins to press up against your structural supports. As that water moves in, it can force those materials making up your structural supports to rapidly change temperature.  

As those materials change temperature, their particles will grow and shrink in size. To keep up with those rapid changes, your structural supports, from a concrete slab to the wooden beams you might have in your crawl space, can crack. While not all cracks are leaks, most leaks are cracks, and you’ll want to work quickly to try and prevent the more extensive damage that can be the result of water’s entry into your home. What causes water to build up outside of your home? The most common causes include:   

• Poor drainage around the perimeter of your home. If you don’t make a point of regularly cleaning your gutters or checking on your downspouts, rain runoff can start to damage your foundation.  
• Consistent bad weather. Droughts and heavy rains alike can cause problems for your foundation. Heavy rain, naturally, can expose your foundation to an excessive amount of water. Comparatively, droughts can cause the soil particles in your yard to shrink. As a result, your foundation can start to shift in a dangerous direction.  
• Tree roots. If you have trees planted too close to your home, their roots may start to interfere with the structural integrity of your foundation.  
• Interior leaks. Rapid changes in temperature can cause the pipes inside of your home to burst. Similarly, a poorly connected HVAC unit, washing machine, or other appliance can add moisture to your air. These leaks can have just as detrimental an impact on the health of your home as leaks that start outdoors.